The Wilmingtonian., 1887-10-15
THE PUMP SNAKE.
A Reptile Who Is of Great Use in Da-
kota, They Saw,

kota, They Say.
In central Dakota, on the missouri bot
TOMS" there exists one of natures strangest
freaks. The settlers term it the "pump
snake" How it came there or where it came
from is yet unknown. 1t first made its ap-
pearance in Emmons county in the spring of
1886. A full grown pump snake measures
about sixteen feet in length and about three
inches in diameter. They are of gregarious
habits, roaming the prairies in large herds, as
many as 800 having been counted in single
flock. In dissecting one Of these reptiles
there is found tube which extends from the
roof of the jaw to the extremity of the tail,
and terminating in an opening. This tube Is
about two inches in diameter, and lined with
a tough, yielding substance, similar to rub
Der. The pump snake is easily trained to an
swer the call Of man. The inhabitants in
this section trap them in large numbers,
A farmer on Cat Tail creek has flock of
twenty pump snakes trained to a remarkable
degree of proficiency. At the blast of a
whistle the snakes assemble on the banks of
the creek. The leader there is always
leader to herd OF these snakes, who is
elected by two-thirds majority dashes into
the water Of the creek, leaving only the ex-
tremity of its tail on the bank. Another
snake Immediately grasps the end of the
leaders, tail in its jaws, third snake takes
hold of the second snakes tail in similar
manner, and so on until there is continuous
line of snakes Joined end on extending to the
water troughs in the cattle yards 800 feet
away. The leading snake commences to
swallow or pump the waters of the creek,
which passes through the long line of snakes
as it would through a hose and falls in a
heavy stream into the trough.
This agriculturist told Of an extraordinary
circumstance which occurred short time
ago. While working in tie field near his
home he observed flames issuing from the
roof of his barn. Wild with excitement he
hurried to the burning building, only to see
that it was hopeless task for himself alone
to attempt to extinguish the flames. In
despair he gazed on the work of destruction;
suddenly he heard loud rustling in the tall
grass, whence issued his herd of pump
snakes on the run. The leader hurled him
self into the creek, the rest instantly adjust
ing themselves, heads and tails, from the
creek to the burning building. The last
snake, standing on its head, waved its long
and flexible body, from the tail end of which
issued stream of water that was thrown
with terrific force on the burning building.
Back and forth dashed the tail end of that
living hose, squirting the water where it
would do the most good, while the loud
pumping of the leader could be heard above
the roar of the conhagraton Within fifteen
minutes the last spark was out Then, and
not until then, did the pump snakes quit
work. They were completely exhausted, the
leader having tainted away. The main part
at the building and its contents were saved,
thanks to tie presence of mind of these won
lerful snakes.
The territorial government is becoming
awakened to the extreme usefulness of these
interesting creatures, and laws are to be en-
acted to protect the pump snake-Dakota
Cor. Chicago Inter Ocean